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Packers Daily Links: Former Packers Punter Joins Concussion Lawsuits

Among the over 1,200 former NFL players that have filed concussion lawsuits against the NFL is former Packers punter Louie Aguiar who played for Green Bay in 1999. Predictably, most players filing lawsuits are those that were prone to contact in professional football. But Aguiar joins former Miami Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian as specialists joining the legal action. "Yepremian is included in one of many suits filed by attorney Gene Locks," writes Gary Mihoces of USA Today. "Another plaintiff in his case is former punter Louie Aguiar, who played in the NFL from 1991 to 2000 with the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears." Yepremian is featured prominently in the article claiming mood swings and hearing loss.

Amid news that the Packers have scheduled their annual shareholders meeting on Tuesday July 24, there was also a change in time of day when the meeting will be held. "(Packers spokesman Aaron) Popkey said the Packers moved the meeting to 9:30 a.m. because with an 11 a.m. start the meetings were running past lunch and it is hotter later in the morning," writes Richard Ryman of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. As we reported earlier on Cheesehead TV, shareholders will only be allowed one ticket this year, meaning no guests as in year's past.

Former Packers vice president Andrew Brandt shared some tales from inside Green Bay's draft day warroom on ESPN.com including one about the proposed trade for wide receiver Randy Moss. "Favre was livid," writes Brandt. "I spent the rest of the draft listening to Bus Cook, his agent, express Favre's anger, along with threats to not show up. I knew Favre had long dreamed of playing with Moss, but I told him that Greg Jennings would be a star in time. Favre said he didn't have time. I explained our method of drafting and developing players, but it only served to deepen his resentment of a general manager who did not welcome his input the way previous regimes had." Maybe Favre should think about becoming the general manager of his own team someday. In seriousness, the whole Brandt column is worth a read. It also gets into the decision to select Aaron Rodgers.

NFL Draft prospectRonnell Lewis of Oklahoma, a potential 3-4 outside linebacker, reportedly interviewed with the Packers at the NFL Combine. "The Packers met with him at the NFL scouting combine and the linebacker got a good vibe," writes Tyler Dunne at JSOnline. "There must be patience involved, but Lewis could give any defense an emotional boost." Lewis is considered to be a second-day draft pick. What must be investigated is his background. He missed the Sooners' last bowl game because he was academically ineligible.

Also interviewed at JSOnline was the position coach of Illinois' Whitney Mercilus, Keith Gilmore. The college defensive line coach was asked about Mercilus and how he might fit into the Packers' 3-4 defense at outside linebacker. "He's done some of that," said Gilmore. "And I think he proved the critics wrong when he had his pro day and at his combine when they asked him to do linebacker drills. He showed that he can shine at that position. I don't think it will be a big deal." I'm sure that's what the Packers would like to hear.

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Read the Brandt column yesterday, really is a great read. He occasionally shares information about transactions/acquisitions that almost happened that are more fascinating than the actual transactions that did happen.

Any chance you guys could get him post-draft to discuss his thoughts on 'what the Packers were thinking?"

If I were given the choice to jump in on a class-action case where the worst-case scenario is I get nothing and the best-case scenario gives me thousands of $$$ , I'm joining!!!

That's not to say that some of these guys aren't experiencing serious symptoms and deserve fair treatment under our judicial system. My point is that there are NOT 1200 players (including a punter) that have been crimially wronged by the NFL's lack of up-front disclosure about concussion consequences.

Also, is there any shot the medical profession and players' personal doctors take any liability in this? I would think if one DID have a concussion, one would consult with a doctor about short and long term consequences...

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